MONTHLY DATA FOR MAR 2008
ACCUMULATIONS ARE FROM JULY 1, 2007
| City | MONTHLY | SEASONAL | |||||||||
| Total | Deviation From Normal |
Deviation From Last Year |
Total | Deviation From Normal | Deviation From Last Year | Deviation From Normal % |
Deviation From Last Year % | ||||
| GRAND ISLAND | 801 | -18 | 257 | 5595 | -172 | 197 | -3 % | 4 % | |||
| LINCOLN | 795 | -4 | 267 | 5585 | -94 | 346 | -2 % | 7 % | |||
| NORFOLK | 890 | 18 | 268 | 6157 | 42 | 442 | 1 % | 8 % | |||
| NORTH PLATTE | 868 | 15 | 294 | 5807 | -186 | -224 | -3 % | -4 % | |||
| OMAHA | 888 | 83 | 307 | 5949 | 197 | 482 | 3 % | 9 % | |||
| SCOTTSBLUFF | 826 | -17 | 183 | 5945 | 33 | 150 | 1 % | 3 % | |||
| VALENTINE | 912 | -20 | 281 | 6104 | -298 | -91 | -5 % | -1 % | |||
Source: Climate Prediction Center-NCEP-NWS-NOAA
| Technically, a heating degree-day is calculated when there is a 1-degree Fahrenheit (F) difference between 65 degrees F and a mean outdoor air temperature of 64 degrees F, on any given day. |
Degree-Days
Freezing winter weather or a long, sweltering summer--either one can increase your utility bills. But how much of the rise in the cost is a result of the weather? You can find out by using a unit of measure called the"degree-day."
A degree-day compares the outdoor temperature to a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (F); the more extreme the temperature, the higher the degree-day number. Thus, degree-day measurements can be used to describe the effect of outdoor temperature on the amount of energy needed for space heating or cooling.
Hot days, which may require the use of energy for cooling, are measured in cooling degree-days. On a day with a mean temperature of 80 degrees F, for example, 15 cooling degree-days would be recorded (80 – 65 base = 15 CDD).
Cold days are measured in heating degree-days. For a day with a mean temperature of 40 degrees F, 25 heating degree-days would be recorded (65 base – 40 = 25 HDD). Two such cold days would result in a total of 50 heating degree-days for the 2-day period.
By studying degree-day patterns in your area, you can evaluate the increases or decreases in your heating or air-conditioning bills from year to year.
The table (see above) lists each of the seven sites across Nebraska where the degree day information is recorded by the National Weather Service. The table also provides the heating or cooling degree day totals for the month and for the year, along with comparisons to last year and the historical averages for the time period. These comparisons will allow you to point out the variations in the weather patterns that will have an affect on the heating or cooling costs for your customer.
It is important to note that there will not be a direct correlation between the % increase/decrease in heating or cooling degree days and the % increase in the customer’s energy bill. The degree day data will provide an indicator that the increase/decrease in the temperature will result in an increase/decrease in the need for cooling. The other factors that you would normally include in a bill evaluation, such as number of days in the billing period, additional reasons for energy use during the time frame and current rate should still be used to identify the causes for the change in the customer’s bill.
To check how the weather may be affecting your air conditioning bill click on cooling degree days.
